
A high-profile fugitive wanted in the U.S. was arrested in London after authorities tracked his movements through his wife’s social media activity. Luis Grijalba, accused of operating a cocaine trafficking network from Costa Rica, was detained by British law enforcement near London Bridge following months of surveillance by U.S. agents.
Grijalba’s wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez, unknowingly led law enforcement to their location by sharing photos of their vacations online. Her posts featured glamorous images from destinations across Europe, including landmarks in Paris and Rome, which allowed investigators to follow their movements.
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😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Fugitive Cartel Chief Wanted in the US Is Captured in London After His Wife Posted Revealing Social Media Photos of Their Travels
The Telegraph reported:
“Luis Grijalba, wanted in the US on charges of exporting cocaine from… pic.twitter.com/o3lCO8WkWA
— Leaf Blogazine (@LBlogazine76240) January 27, 2025
Rodriguez, who works in a beauty salon in Costa Rica’s port city of Limon, frequently updated her accounts with pictures of their lavish trips. Investigators monitored her social media activity, eventually pinpointing their whereabouts and coordinating Grijalba’s capture during their visit to the U.K. for New Year’s celebrations.
Grijalba had long evaded arrest in Costa Rica due to legal barriers preventing his extradition. His cartel operations have been linked to violent conflicts in Limon, where gang-related killings have surged in recent years. He previously survived multiple assassination attempts, including an ambush that claimed the lives of several associates.
Following his arrest, Rodriguez’s Instagram account, which had thousands of followers, was taken down, but her Facebook account remained accessible with older posts documenting their travels. Authorities confirmed that extradition procedures to the U.S. have begun.
Limon, where Grijalba’s operations were based, has become a major hub for drug trafficking, with authorities struggling to curb the influence of criminal networks operating in the region.